How Much Do California Movers Cost?
Quick answer: The average cost of hiring movers in California is $122 per hour, with an average total move cost between $428 and $4,019. The exact cost of your move will depend on how many belongings you have and how far you’re relocating.
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Average cost to hire an interstate mover in California
The cost of an interstate — also known as “out-of-state” — move from California is naturally more complex. Because of the added logistics, interstate relocations are calculated differently than a simpler move within the same city or from one California town to another.
Interstate move costs are determined based on the total volume and weight of your belongings, instead of hourly rates like with local moves. Moving out-of-state typically means longer drive times than in-state relocations, and that additional mileage comes with higher prices.
Fuel costs, higher insurance premiums, and fluctuations in seasonal demand can all drive up your overall interstate moving expenses.
Below are sample price ranges for some popular moving routes.
Cost to move a two- or three-bedroom home out of California
- California to New York: $4,248–$7,403
- California to Illinois: $3,599–$6,406
- California to New York: $4,248–$7,403
- California to New York: $4,248–$7,403
- California to Texas: $2,859–$5,986
Now that you have an idea of what your move from California should cost, it’s time to start looking at the best long-distance movers in California.
Best interstate moving companies in California
Affordability and pricing accuracy are two key factors we use to rate interstate movers. But it’s important to balance cost with customer satisfaction and service options, so that you’re getting the best moving package for your budget — and not just a budget-rate relocation.
Compare pricing and standout features for each of the companies on our list of top interstate movers in California:
- Safeway Moving: 4.85 out of 5 stars
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- BLVD Moving: 4.25 out of 5 stars
- PODS: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5 stars
- GPS tracking en route
- Veteran-owned
- Dedicated move coordinator
- Flat-rate pricing
- Donates a portion of moves to charity
- Family-owned, with locations covering the East Coast
- Full refund if you cancel within 7 days of your move
- Hands-on customer service
- 24/7 support
- Price-matching policy
- Family owned & operated
- Affordable pricing
- Binding estimates
- 30 days storage included
- Local and long distance moving options
- Unlimited loading/unloading time
- Store on property or at a facility
- Experienced & fully trained moving crews
- Specializes in moving art & antiques
- Competitive pricing
- Can handle last-minute moves
- Climate-controlled storage
Easily compare personalized moving quotes for your California move. For that, use our free and instant moving cost calculator.
Average cost to hire a local moving company in CA
The cost to hire a local California moving company for an in-state relocation depends primarily on home size and distance.
For moves of 50 miles or less in California, local movers will charge you an hourly rate determined by the truck and moving crew sizes needed.
In-state long-distance moves in California are priced like interstate moves — according to the total volume and weight of belongings, rather than by the hour. Like interstate moves, in-state — or “intrastate” — moves from one city to another are considered long-distance if they are more than 400 miles (although some movers set the minimum at over 100 miles).
Here’s what you could expect to pay a professional mover in California.
| Home size | Avg. total cost | Cost/hour | # of movers | # hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $428 | $171 | 2 movers | 3 hours |
| 1 bedroom | $600 | $171 | 2 movers | 4 hours |
| 2 bedrooms | $977 | $240 | 3 movers | 5 hours |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,273 | $336 | 4 movers | 8 hours |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,609 | $336 | 4 movers | 9 hours |
| 5+ bedrooms | $4,019 | $470 | 5 movers | 10 hours |
- Studio: A studio apartment move typically requires two movers and can take up to three hours, depending on the amount and types of belongings, at an hourly rate of $171.
- One bedroom: If you have a one-bedroom apartment or home, expect to pay around $171 per hour for four hours using a two-person moving crew.
- Two bedrooms: Moving a two-bedroom home in California will cost about $240 an hour. You'll likely need three movers for five hours.
- Three bedrooms: For a three-bedroom home, expect to pay an hourly rate of $336 for California movers. A three-bedroom home typically takes eight hours to complete using a four-person crew.
- Four bedrooms: Moving a four-bedroom house in California will take four movers approximately nine hours, at a rate of $336 per hour.
- Five or more bedrooms: The cost of hiring California movers for a home with five or more bedrooms is $470 an hour. Homes this size usually require five movers and take about 10 hours.
City moving costs in California
- Cost of Adelanto movers
- Cost of Agoura Hills movers
- Cost of Alameda movers
- Cost of Alamo movers
- Cost of Albany movers
- Cost of Alhambra movers
- Cost of Aliso Viejo movers
- Cost of Alpine movers
- Cost of Altadena movers
- Cost of Alum Rock movers
- Cost of American Canyon movers
- Cost of Anaheim movers
- Cost of Anderson movers
- Cost of Antelope movers
- Cost of Antioch movers
- Cost of Apple Valley movers
- Cost of Arcadia movers
- Cost of Arcata movers
- Cost of Arden-Arcade movers
- Cost of Arroyo Grande movers
- Cost of Artesia movers
- Cost of Arvin movers
- Cost of Ashland movers
- Cost of Atascadero movers
- Cost of Atwater movers
- Cost of Auburn movers
- Cost of Avenal movers
- Cost of Avocado Heights movers
- Cost of Azusa movers
- Cost of Bakersfield movers
- Cost of Baldwin Park movers
- Cost of Banning movers
- Cost of Barstow movers
- Cost of Bay Point movers
- Cost of Beaumont movers
- Cost of Bell movers
- Cost of Bell Gardens movers
- Cost of Bellflower movers
- Cost of Belmont movers
- Cost of Benicia movers
- Cost of Berkeley movers
- Cost of Beverly Hills movers
- Cost of Big Bear City movers
- Cost of Blackhawk movers
- Cost of Bloomington movers
- Cost of Blythe movers
- Cost of Bonita movers
- Cost of Bostonia movers
- Cost of Brawley movers
- Cost of Brea movers
- Cost of Brentwood movers
- Cost of Buena Park movers
- Cost of Burbank movers
- Cost of Burlingame movers
- Cost of Calabasas movers
- Cost of Calexico movers
- Cost of California City movers
- Cost of Calimesa movers
- Cost of Camarillo movers
- Cost of Cameron Park movers
- Cost of Camp Pendleton South movers
- Cost of Campbell movers
- Cost of Canyon Lake movers
- Cost of Capitola movers
- Cost of Carlsbad movers
- Cost of Carmichael movers
- Cost of Carpinteria movers
- Cost of Carson movers
- Cost of Casa de Oro-Mount Helix movers
- Cost of Castaic movers
- Cost of Castro Valley movers
- Cost of Cathedral City movers
- Cost of Ceres movers
- Cost of Cerritos movers
- Cost of Cherryland movers
- Cost of Chico movers
- Cost of Chino movers
- Cost of Chino Hills movers
- Cost of Chowchilla movers
- Cost of Chula Vista movers
- Cost of Citrus movers
- Cost of Citrus Heights movers
- Cost of Claremont movers
- Cost of Clayton movers
- Cost of Clearlake movers
- Cost of Clovis movers
- Cost of Coachella movers
- Cost of Coalinga movers
- Cost of Colton movers
- Cost of Commerce movers
- Cost of Compton movers
- Cost of Concord movers
- Cost of Corcoran movers
- Cost of Corona movers
- Cost of Coronado movers
- Cost of Corte Madera movers
- Cost of Costa Mesa movers
- Cost of Coto de Caza movers
- Cost of Covina movers
- Cost of Cudahy movers
- Cost of Culver City movers
- Cost of Cupertino movers
- Cost of Cypress movers
- Cost of Daly City movers
- Cost of Dana Point movers
- Cost of Danville movers
- Cost of Davis movers
- Cost of Del Aire movers
- Cost of Delano movers
- Cost of Delhi movers
- Cost of Desert Hot Springs movers
- Cost of Diamond Bar movers
- Cost of Diamond Springs movers
- Cost of Dinuba movers
- Cost of Discovery Bay movers
- Cost of Dixon movers
- Cost of Downey movers
- Cost of Duarte movers
- Cost of Dublin movers
- Cost of East Bakersfield movers
- Cost of East Hemet movers
- Cost of East Los Angeles movers
- Cost of East Niles movers
- Cost of East Palo Alto movers
- Cost of East Rancho Dominguez movers
- Cost of East San Gabriel movers
- Cost of Eastern Goleta Valley movers
- Cost of Eastvale movers
- Cost of El Cajon movers
- Cost of El Centro movers
- Cost of El Cerrito movers
- Cost of El Dorado Hills movers
- Cost of El Monte movers
- Cost of El Paso de Robles movers
- Cost of El Segundo movers
- Cost of El Sobrante movers
- Cost of Elk Grove movers
- Cost of Emeryville movers
- Cost of Encinitas movers
- Cost of Escondido movers
- Cost of Eureka movers
- Cost of Exeter movers
- Cost of Fair Oaks movers
- Cost of Fairfield movers
- Cost of Fairview movers
- Cost of Fallbrook movers
- Cost of Farmersville movers
- Cost of Fillmore movers
- Cost of Florence-Graham movers
- Cost of Florin movers
- Cost of Folsom movers
- Cost of Fontana movers
- Cost of Foothill Farms movers
- Cost of Fortuna movers
- Cost of Foster City movers
- Cost of Fountain Valley movers
- Cost of Fremont movers
- Cost of French Valley movers
- Cost of Fresno movers
- Cost of Fullerton movers
- Cost of Galt movers
- Cost of Garden Acres movers
- Cost of Garden Grove movers
- Cost of Gardena movers
- Cost of Gilroy movers
- Cost of Glendale movers
- Cost of Glendora movers
- Cost of Golden Hills movers
- Cost of Goleta movers
- Cost of Grand Terrace movers
- Cost of Granite Bay movers
- Cost of Grass Valley movers
- Cost of Greenfield movers
- Cost of Grover Beach movers
- Cost of Hacienda Heights movers
- Cost of Half Moon Bay movers
- Cost of Hanford movers
- Cost of Hawaiian Gardens movers
- Cost of Hawthorne movers
- Cost of Hayward movers
- Cost of Healdsburg movers
- Cost of Hemet movers
- Cost of Hercules movers
- Cost of Hermosa Beach movers
- Cost of Hesperia movers
- Cost of Highland movers
- Cost of Hillcrest movers
- Cost of Hillsborough movers
- Cost of Hollister movers
- Cost of Home Gardens movers
- Cost of Huntington Beach movers
- Cost of Huntington Park movers
- Cost of Imperial movers
- Cost of Imperial Beach movers
- Cost of Indio movers
- Cost of Inglewood movers
- Cost of Irvine movers
- Cost of Isla Vista movers
- Cost of Jurupa Valley movers
- Cost of Kerman movers
- Cost of King City movers
- Cost of Kingsburg movers
- Cost of La Cañada Flintridge movers
- Cost of La Crescenta-Montrose movers
- Cost of La Habra movers
- Cost of La Mesa movers
- Cost of La Mirada movers
- Cost of La Palma movers
- Cost of La Presa movers
- Cost of La Puente movers
- Cost of La Quinta movers
- Cost of La Riviera movers
- Cost of La Verne movers
- Cost of Ladera Ranch movers
- Cost of Lafayette movers
- Cost of Laguna Beach movers
- Cost of Laguna Hills movers
- Cost of Laguna Niguel movers
- Cost of Laguna Woods movers
- Cost of Lake Elsinore movers
- Cost of Lake Forest movers
- Cost of Lake Los Angeles movers
- Cost of Lakeland Village movers
- Cost of Lakeside movers
- Cost of Lakewood movers
- Cost of Lamont movers
- Cost of Lancaster movers
- Cost of Larkspur movers
- Cost of Lathrop movers
- Cost of Lawndale movers
- Cost of Lemon Grove movers
- Cost of Lemon Hill movers
- Cost of Lemoore movers
- Cost of Lennox movers
- Cost of Lincoln movers
- Cost of Linda movers
- Cost of Lindsay movers
- Cost of Live Oak movers
- Cost of Livermore movers
- Cost of Livingston movers
- Cost of Lodi movers
- Cost of Loma Linda movers
- Cost of Lomita movers
- Cost of Lompoc movers
- Cost of Long Beach movers
- Cost of Los Alamitos movers
- Cost of Los Altos movers
- Cost of Los Angeles movers
- Cost of Los Banos movers
- Cost of Los Gatos movers
- Cost of Los Osos movers
- Cost of Lynwood movers
- Cost of Madera movers
- Cost of Madera Acres movers
- Cost of Magalia movers
- Cost of Malibu movers
- Cost of Manhattan Beach movers
- Cost of Manteca movers
- Cost of Marina movers
- Cost of Martinez movers
- Cost of Marysville movers
- Cost of Maywood movers
- Cost of McFarland movers
- Cost of McKinleyville movers
- Cost of Mead Valley movers
- Cost of Mendota movers
- Cost of Menifee movers
- Cost of Menlo Park movers
- Cost of Merced movers
- Cost of Mill Valley movers
- Cost of Millbrae movers
- Cost of Milpitas movers
- Cost of Mission Viejo movers
- Cost of Modesto movers
- Cost of Monrovia movers
- Cost of Montclair movers
- Cost of Montebello movers
- Cost of Monterey movers
- Cost of Monterey Park movers
- Cost of Moorpark movers
- Cost of Moraga movers
- Cost of Moreno Valley movers
- Cost of Morgan Hill movers
- Cost of Morro Bay movers
- Cost of Mountain House movers
- Cost of Mountain View movers
- Cost of Murrieta movers
- Cost of Muscoy movers
- Cost of Napa movers
- Cost of National City movers
- Cost of Newark movers
- Cost of Newman movers
- Cost of Newport Beach movers
- Cost of Nipomo movers
- Cost of Norco movers
- Cost of North Auburn movers
- Cost of North Fair Oaks movers
- Cost of North Highlands movers
- Cost of North Tustin movers
- Cost of Norwalk movers
- Cost of Novato movers
- Cost of Oak Park movers
- Cost of Oakdale movers
- Cost of Oakland movers
- Cost of Oakley movers
- Cost of Oceanside movers
- Cost of Oildale movers
- Cost of Olivehurst movers
- Cost of Ontario movers
- Cost of Orange movers
- Cost of Orangevale movers
- Cost of Orcutt movers
- Cost of Orinda movers
- Cost of Oroville movers
- Cost of Oxnard movers
- Cost of Pacific Grove movers
- Cost of Pacifica movers
- Cost of Palm Desert movers
- Cost of Palm Springs movers
- Cost of Palmdale movers
- Cost of Palo Alto movers
- Cost of Palos Verdes Estates movers
- Cost of Paramount movers
- Cost of Parkway movers
- Cost of Parlier movers
- Cost of Pasadena movers
- Cost of Patterson movers
- Cost of Perris movers
- Cost of Petaluma movers
- Cost of Phelan movers
- Cost of Pico Rivera movers
- Cost of Piedmont movers
- Cost of Pinole movers
- Cost of Pittsburg movers
- Cost of Placentia movers
- Cost of Placerville movers
- Cost of Pleasant Hill movers
- Cost of Pleasanton movers
- Cost of Pomona movers
- Cost of Port Hueneme movers
- Cost of Porterville movers
- Cost of Potomac Park movers
- Cost of Poway movers
- Cost of Prunedale movers
- Cost of Quartz Hill movers
- Cost of Ramona movers
- Cost of Rancho Cordova movers
- Cost of Rancho Cucamonga movers
- Cost of Rancho Mirage movers
- Cost of Rancho Palos Verdes movers
- Cost of Rancho San Diego movers
- Cost of Rancho Santa Margarita movers
- Cost of Red Bluff movers
- Cost of Redding movers
- Cost of Redlands movers
- Cost of Redondo Beach movers
- Cost of Redwood City movers
- Cost of Reedley movers
- Cost of Rialto movers
- Cost of Richmond movers
- Cost of Ridgecrest movers
- Cost of Rio Linda movers
- Cost of Ripon movers
- Cost of Riverbank movers
- Cost of Riverside movers
- Cost of Rocklin movers
- Cost of Rohnert Park movers
- Cost of Rosamond movers
- Cost of Rosedale movers
- Cost of Rosemead movers
- Cost of Rosemont movers
- Cost of Roseville movers
- Cost of Rossmoor movers
- Cost of Rowland Heights movers
- Cost of Sacramento movers
- Cost of Salida movers
- Cost of Salinas movers
- Cost of San Anselmo movers
- Cost of San Bernardino movers
- Cost of San Bruno movers
- Cost of San Buenaventura movers
- Cost of San Carlos movers
- Cost of San Clemente movers
- Cost of San Diego movers
- Cost of San Diego Country Estates movers
- Cost of San Dimas movers
- Cost of San Fernando movers
- Cost of San Francisco movers
- Cost of San Gabriel movers
- Cost of San Jacinto movers
- Cost of San Jose movers
- Cost of San Juan Capistrano movers
- Cost of San Leandro movers
- Cost of San Lorenzo movers
- Cost of San Luis Obispo movers
- Cost of San Marcos movers
- Cost of San Marino movers
- Cost of San Mateo movers
- Cost of San Pablo movers
- Cost of San Rafael movers
- Cost of San Ramon movers
- Cost of Sanger movers
- Cost of Santa Ana movers
- Cost of Santa Barbara movers
- Cost of Santa Clara movers
- Cost of Santa Clarita movers
- Cost of Santa Cruz movers
- Cost of Santa Fe Springs movers
- Cost of Santa Maria movers
- Cost of Santa Monica movers
- Cost of Santa Paula movers
- Cost of Santa Rosa movers
- Cost of Santee movers
- Cost of Saratoga movers
- Cost of Scotts Valley movers
- Cost of Seal Beach movers
- Cost of Seaside movers
- Cost of Selma movers
- Cost of Shafter movers
- Cost of Shasta Lake movers
- Cost of Sierra Madre movers
- Cost of Signal Hill movers
- Cost of Simi Valley movers
- Cost of Solana Beach movers
- Cost of Soledad movers
- Cost of Sonoma movers
- Cost of Soquel movers
- Cost of South El Monte movers
- Cost of South Gate movers
- Cost of South Lake Tahoe movers
- Cost of South Pasadena movers
- Cost of South San Francisco movers
- Cost of South San Jose Hills movers
- Cost of South Whittier movers
- Cost of Spring Valley movers
- Cost of Stanford movers
- Cost of Stanton movers
- Cost of Stevenson Ranch movers
- Cost of Stockton movers
- Cost of Suisun City movers
- Cost of Sun Village movers
- Cost of Sunnyvale movers
- Cost of Susanville movers
- Cost of Tamalpais-Homestead Valley movers
- Cost of Tehachapi movers
- Cost of Temecula movers
- Cost of Temescal Valley movers
- Cost of Temple City movers
- Cost of Thousand Oaks movers
- Cost of Torrance movers
- Cost of Tracy movers
- Cost of Truckee movers
- Cost of Tulare movers
- Cost of Turlock movers
- Cost of Tustin movers
- Cost of Twentynine Palms movers
- Cost of Ukiah movers
- Cost of Union City movers
- Cost of University of California-Santa Barbara movers
- Cost of Upland movers
- Cost of Vacaville movers
- Cost of Valinda movers
- Cost of Valle Vista movers
- Cost of Vallejo movers
- Cost of Valley Center movers
- Cost of Victorville movers
- Cost of View Park-Windsor Hills movers
- Cost of Vincent movers
- Cost of Vineyard movers
- Cost of Visalia movers
- Cost of Vista movers
- Cost of Walnut movers
- Cost of Walnut Creek movers
- Cost of Walnut Park movers
- Cost of Wasco movers
- Cost of Watsonville movers
- Cost of West Carson movers
- Cost of West Covina movers
- Cost of West Hollywood movers
- Cost of West Puente Valley movers
- Cost of West Rancho Dominguez movers
- Cost of West Sacramento movers
- Cost of West Whittier-Los Nietos movers
- Cost of Westminster movers
- Cost of Westmont movers
- Cost of Whittier movers
- Cost of Wildomar movers
- Cost of Willowbrook movers
- Cost of Windsor movers
- Cost of Winter Gardens movers
- Cost of Winton movers
- Cost of Woodcrest movers
- Cost of Woodland movers
- Cost of Yorba Linda movers
- Cost of Yuba City movers
- Cost of Yucaipa movers
- Cost of Yucca Valley movers
Best local moving companies in California
Staying in California and moving just a short distance? You’ll want to find a local moving company that provides services you need without breaking the bank.
Check out our picks for the best California movers to compare cost and services:
- US Pro Logistics: 3.5 out of 5 stars
- Meathead Movers: 5 out of 5 stars
- Grace Moving Company: 4.96 out of 5 stars
- Two Men and a Truck: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- Terry Moving and Storage Inc.: 4.86 out of 5 stars
- Excellent Customer Service
- Efficient Moving Process
- Careful Handling of Belongings
- High Pricing
- Occasional Damage to Items
- Inconsistent Customer Service Responses
Company Info
State license #: 0189849
Years in Business: 27
DOT #: 921143
Alternate Names: Meathead Movers, Inc., Princess Packers
Meathead Movers, a reputable moving company serving Fresno, CA since 1998, specializes in local residential moving services with a proven track record reflected by their stellar consumer reviews. With 243 Yelp reviews averaging 4.1 stars and 204 Google My Business reviews averaging 4.4 stars, they have earned an impressive A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. Unlike many local competitors, Meathead Movers also offers packing and unpacking services, accepting both cash and credit cards without requiring a deposit. Their dedication to customer satisfaction and comprehensive service offerings make them a top choice for local moves.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Storage
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Excellent Customer Service
- Fast and Efficient Service
- Careful Handling of Belongings
- Missing or Damaged Items
- Inconsistent Communication
- Disrespectful Attitudes by Some Staff
Company Info
State license #: 0189642
Years in Business: 26
DOT #: 2806730
Grace Moving Company, based in Modesto, CA, has been reliably serving local residents since 1999, earning a stellar reputation for their top-notch residential moving services. Unlike many competitors, Grace Moving Company also offers specialized services like piano and art moving, packing, unpacking, and crating, ensuring a comprehensive moving experience. With an impressive average rating of 4.6 on Yelp and 4.7 on Google, plus an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, their customer satisfaction speaks volumes. Notably, they accept credit cards and require no deposit, making them a convenient and trusted choice for local relocations.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Pay by credit card
- Courteous Staff
- Professional Service
- Excellent Communication
- Late Arrival
- Careless Handling of Items
- Inadequate Training for Movers
Company Info
State license #: 877973
Years in Business: 17
DOT #: 2527384
Alternate Names: Dream Moore, Inc.
Two Men and a Truck, based in Chico, CA, has been providing reliable local residential moving services since 2007. With an impressive average rating of 4.2 on Yelp and 4.5 on Google, along with an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, they have established themselves as a reputable choice compared to other nearby movers. Their comprehensive services include packing, unpacking, and labor-only options, and they are capable of handling special items such as pianos and safes. Unlike many competitors, they accept credit cards and do not require a deposit, making the moving process stress-free for their clients.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Pianos
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
- Exceptional Customer Service
- Friendly and Professional Crews
- Accurate Estimates and No Hidden Fees
- Occasional Billing Confusion
- Minor Communication Issues
- Some Negative Experiences Reported
Company Info
State license #: 189603
Years in Business: 28
DOT #: 649215
Alternate Names: Terry Moving and Storage Inc, Richards Moving Company, Orange County Storage Movers
Terry Moving and Storage Inc., located in Lake Forest, CA, has been a trusted name in local residential moving services since 1997. With outstanding consumer reviews—235 on Yelp with an average rating of 4.7 and 141 on Google My Business with an average rating of 4.9, plus an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau—they’re a standout choice among local movers. Unlike many competitors, they offer a comprehensive range of services, including packing, unpacking, and the specialized handling of fragile items, as well as piano and pool table moving. No deposit is required and they accept credit cards, simplifying the moving process for their clients.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Pool Tables
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Pay by credit card
Average PODS Costs in CA
The average cost of PODS is anywhere from $220–$7,448, depending on the container size and move distance. For example, a local move in California using an eight-foot PODS container runs from $220 to $426, while the same move with a 16-foot container would be approximately $323–$813.
In general, you can expect to pay $220–$813 with PODS for a local move. Long-distance moves, which require longer transport times and mileage, are naturally pricier. Renting a PODS container for a long-distance move of 100–250 miles will typically cost between $250 and $2,107, and cross-country moves start at around $2,068 and can be as much as $7,448.
We like PODS for its widespread availability, multiple container sizes (eight, 12, and 16 feet), and ongoing discounts but we know that everyone’s move is unique. While PODS is our overall pick, we always recommend getting quotes from at least three companies to get a clear comparison of pricing and services.
Best moving containers or PODS in California
Moving container companies combine the cost-savings of a DIY move with the convenience of full-service movers. You’ll cut moving costs by loading up all your items into your PODS or moving container yourself, but you’ll still have a professional driver handling the transport of your belongings to your new home within California or across state lines.
You’ll want to look for companies offering a variety of container sizes or types and quick and easy container delivery and pick-up scheduling. If you need long-term storage as part of your move, the top moving container companies provide facilities with 24/7 monitoring and climate-controlled options.
Here are our recommendations for top moving container companies in California.
- 30 days storage included
- Local and long distance moving options
- Unlimited loading/unloading time
- Store on property or at a facility
- Long distance moves only
- Only pay for the space you use
- No deposit or initial fees
- Fast delivery time frames
Average cost to rent a moving truck in CA
The average cost to rent a moving truck ranges from $57–$136 for a local move and $355–$5,700+ for long-distance moves.
Best moving truck rentals in California
Renting a truck from companies like U-Haul is your most affordable option — but it will also require you to do the most work. you’ll have to box up and load your items, drive the truck, and unload your belongings at your new place yourself or with the help of friends and family or third-party labor.
Check out our top picks for moving truck rentals in California:
- More than 20,000 locations with prominent pricing
- Rental options include everything from pick-up trucks to 26-foot moving trucks
- Gentle-Ride Suspension add protection to avoid damaging your items during transit
- U-Box moving containers available if you don't want to drive
- Competitive base prices with specialized discounts
- Round-trip and one-way moves available
- User-friendly website makes it easy to book the right truck
Average cost of labor-only moving companies in CA
The average cost of hiring a labor-only mover in California is $61 per hour for each moving crew member. Since even smaller moves like studio apartments typically require a minimum crew size of two people, you can expect to pay an hourly rate of approximately $122 for moving labor.
Best labor-only moving companies in California
Don’t want to deal with the heavy lifting? A labor-only company will handle that for you. = Labor-only companies in California are kind of like professional movers without the truck.
They provide packing and loading support, as well as optional services like disassembly and reassembly of furniture, but you’ll still have to rent a moving truck and drive.
Take a look at these top-rated labor-only movers in California:
- First call quoting, get a quote in just a couple of minutes
- Rates are typically 20-40% lower than the industry averages
- $1,000 money-back service guarantee
- Fast and accurate delivery times
- Free damage coverage with additional coverage options
- Quick and easy booking process
- National 4.75/5 star rating (these guys are good at what they do)
- Dedicated move concierge specialist
- Pay as you go service. 2-hour minimum and then prorated down to the minute
- The time clock starts when the movers arrive and ends when you tell them
Factors that affect the cost of your California move
The following common factors will affect the cost of your California move:
- The size of your move: The more items you move, the more the move is going to cost. Obviously, it will take more time to load more items into a truck, but it will also often require a bigger moving crew. Those additional man hours and extra labor mean you’ll pay more for a fully furnished two-bedroom home than you would a minimalist studio apartment. To help keep costs down, make sure you’re only bringing with you those things that you truly want to have in California.
- The distance of the move: How far you’re moving can greatly impact your costs. If you’re moving locally, you’ll pay an hourly rate and your total price will be based on how long it takes a crew to move a home of your size. A long-distance mover will likely build additional expenses like mileage and fuel and toll costs into your total estimate. Getting a truck from California to your new home state takes longer, so moving companies also adjust pricing to account for the time involved.
- The type of move: There are several ways to handle your California move. You take a more hands-off approach and hire a full-service moving company. While this is certainly the most convenient choice, you’ll also pay more for a full-service move than you would with DIY options like renting a moving truck. You can save a lot with a truck rental, but you’ll have to drive and do all the loading and unloading yourself (unless you want to hire labor-only movers). You may also want to consider getting a moving container, which saves some money but also provides professional drivers.
- Home type: If you live in a one-bedroom ranch with a private driveway, your move will be logistically easier. Moving out of condos or high-rise apartments will require additional planning and loading time, especially if parking is an issue. Most movers will typically charge stair and elevator fees for moves that aren’t on the ground floor and homes with more than one story. Long-carry fees will also usually be applied if crews must carry items a longer distance to the truck due to parking limitations.
- Add-on services: Generally speaking, the more you do yourself the less your California move is going to cost you. However, it can be nice to have professionals do your packing and unpacking for you. That’s going to cost a little extra, as will opting for increased insurance, tacking on short-term storage, or requesting customized crating for electronics, antiques, or fine art.
- The time of the year: Moving in the summer can cost from 20-30% more than other times of year. That’s because summer is a popular time of year for relocations. Demand and limited availability during peak moving season drives prices up. Moving within or out of California between October and April, when moving companies have less demand, will certainly bring your costs down.
Consider car shipping costs for long-distance CA moves
Professional car shippers will apply their years of know-how to help get your car to your new home as part of your long-distance move. Here are the top car shippers in California:
| Company | Our take | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sherpa Auto Transport |
4.5 / 5
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| Montway Auto Transport |
4.5 / 5
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| Easy Auto Ship |
4.9 / 5
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| AmeriFreight Car Transport |
4.3 / 5
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| SGT Auto Transport |
4.9 / 5
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Tips to save money on your California move
Regardless of whether you decide to hire a professional full-service mover or go the DIY route, there are some easy things you can do to help you save money on your California move:
- Declutter and downsize. Decluttering before moving is a great way to reduce costs, since the less you have, the less it will cost to move it! You can donate items you don’t want to keep and may even be able to make some extra cash selling higher-value, gently used pieces.
- Ask about moving discounts. A lot of moving companies provide special offers for veterans, students, senior citizens, and new customers, so make sure you ask when you’re shopping around for a mover.
- Move during the off-season. Movers are busiest between mid-May and mid-September, so, if you can, plan your moving day outside of this peak season. Additionally, movers tend to charge more on weekends because of high demand. If you’re able to relocate during the week, you might save some money.
- Book your move well in advance. Last-minute moves cost more, so if you plan ahead and book at least two months in advance, you’ll be paying less than if you waited until a couple weeks before your moving day.
- Handle packing yourself. Even if you go with a full-service mover for your California move, you can save money by packing yourself instead of paying a company to do it for you.
What is the cheapest way to move in California?
The cheapest way to move within California is by using a DIY option. For some people in California, it’s cheaper to rent a moving truck, but for others, it makes more sense to hire a professional moving company.
While it seems like a DIY move would also be the cheapest way to relocate out of California, that’s not always the case. Truck rentals can save you money on shorter-distance moves. But for out-of-state relocations, hidden or unexpected expenses like gas, mileage, toll charges, and even food and accommodations on your trip can add up quickly and even push the price of your truck rental above what it would cost to use a full-service mover.
To help you decide, use our free moving cost calculator to get free personalized, instant quotes and quickly compare the cost of truck rentals and professional moving companies.
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